Purpose, Goals and Happiness

If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes

Andrew Carnegie

Happiness is an internal job, largely determined by what we allow to take up our time, focus and attention. It doesn’t lie in money, status or material possessions, but in determining our purpose in life and living in accordance with it.

So, it stands to reason that if you want to be happy, you need to do some work on yourself. Put your money away, and log off your computer. Instead, pick up a pen and notepad, and answer the following questions honestly;

Self reflection. What do you really want from life? What do you value? What are your priorities? When are you at your happiest and most productive? What are your non-negotiables?

Current status. Now that you have reminded yourself what is most important in your life, and what you feel to be your “why” for doing what you do every day, it’s time to check where you are with this right now. Are you living in accordance with your purpose, beliefs and values? Are you making progress in the right direction? Now that you can see the bigger picture, where are you right now?

Goal setting. With the big picture of your life fresh in your mind, this is the time to revisit your goals. Do your goals reflect your purpose and what you hold dear? If not, change them. It’s no big deal. Sometimes we cling to goals, circumstances and relationships which we have grown because we fear what might happen if we let go. Life is all about change. As we grow, learn and develop, our needs, wants and priorities change too. This is why it’s important to reflect on yourself regularly, and if something’s not working for you, change it. Change is not to be feared, but a natural part of a fulfilling life.

Planning and action. With your goals fresh in your mind, determine the timeline and what resources you have at your disposal. Where are your strengths? What areas do you need to work on? Where do you anticipate any potential problems arising? With your plan set, all that’s left now is to take determined action. Throughout the journey which you are embarking on, be constantly aware of what is or isn’t working. Be brave, and use this feedback to adapt your approach and keep you marching onward towards your goals.

When you know who you are, what’s important to you and what your purpose in life is, expect to feel happy. Genuine, lasting happiness. The kind of happiness which is contagious and will attract the right people into your life.

Expect happiness, you say? Yes. When you live in accordance with your purpose, and set goals which reflect this, deep down you know at all times what you are working towards. Every action you take, every day, no matter how small, is getting you closer to your goal, one step at a time. This is where genuine happiness comes from. You don’t need millions in the bank, houses, cars and luxury goods. You don’t need to chase other people or change who you are to be accepted by them. You will face challenges and have bad days. Other people will try and discourage you from your path. None of that will matter, though, and you will be unstoppable. Why? You have something much bigger – a purpose, goals which reflect this purpose, and a plan of how to get there. All of this depends on you, how much you want it and how hard you are prepared to work for it. The power to bring positive results into your life is in your hands alone, and what you make of the opportunities which you have. This is where true happiness comes from.

Be yourself, and live your life on your own terms, as you want. Then, you will find true happiness.

Man’s real life is happy, chiefly because he is ever expecting that it soon will be so